Kangaroo Island, Australia
Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, possums, sea lions, echidnas, goannas and platypus. Kangaroo Island has them all. I have spent a lifetime seeking out Australian animals, in a casual 'looking out of the car windows' kind of way, and I can confidently say the best place to see them all in one place is Kangaroo Island. The only large animal not found on the island is the emu.
It took us half a lifetime to get there. We almost made it when the boys were little but got put off by the cost of the ferry. It was the early '90s and either we were poorer or the ferry was more expensive: I can't remember which. In recent years, we have twice had accommodation booked and deposits paid. Each time a family illness prevented us from going. This was 'third-time lucky' territory. If we didn't make it this time we were giving up forever.
The World's Best Riesling
Today we tasted 'The World's Best Riesling' - at least that is what the lady trying to sell us a bottle said. We are in the Clare Valley, one of Sth Australia's best wine growing regions. It is wet, cold and windy. Not good conditions for fair-weather cyclists. Unless the weather improves, this year's holiday in the Clare is going to be a lot more about drinking and a lot less about cycling.
Sydney to Adelaide - Meandering along the Murray.
One thousand, three hundred and seventy-six kilometres - according to Google Maps that's how far it is from Sydney to Adelaide. It feels like more. If you allow for the odd wrong turn, occasional side trip and following the scenic route, it is more - but even in a straight unwavering line it is a long way. If Australians have a national obsession, it has to be travel. At any given moment half the country is out roaming the world in a vast inter-national diaspora. D and I try to do our bit ....
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Cycling The Riesling Trail in The Clare Valley, S.A.
Ride - The Riesling Trail, The Clare Valley, Sth Australia
Distance - 35km one way
Terrain - Compacted gravel. Not suitable for road bikes
Difficulty -Very easy
Highlights - The cleanskin Riesling we had too much of at Crabtree Winery.
Distance - 35km one way
Terrain - Compacted gravel. Not suitable for road bikes
Difficulty -Very easy
Highlights - The cleanskin Riesling we had too much of at Crabtree Winery.
Cycling The Barossa Trail in Sth Australia
Ride - The Barossa Trail, South Australia.
Distance - 9 km of rail trail from Angaston to Nurioopta then 7 km to Tanunda.
Terrain - Rail trail from Angaston to Nuriootpa then separated path to Tanunda.
Difficulty - Flat and easy.
Highlights - The thousands of roses next to the path from Nurioopta to Tanunda.
Distance - 9 km of rail trail from Angaston to Nurioopta then 7 km to Tanunda.
Terrain - Rail trail from Angaston to Nuriootpa then separated path to Tanunda.
Difficulty - Flat and easy.
Highlights - The thousands of roses next to the path from Nurioopta to Tanunda.